Hi Everyone. Happy Wednesday.
I have a Christmas card for you tonight. But, before I show you that, I wanted to show you a couple of photographs from the scene that greeted me when I awoke this morning.
Yes… it snowed. AND.. the sun was shining! Oh! It was a beautiful start to the morning. Sadly, we didn't get as much snow as originally forecast – somewhere between 3 to 5 inches, but it looked so gorgeous, I'll take it!
The oak trees looked stunning with the sun on their leaves and the snow on the ground
The sky was a gorgeous, deep, blue. No clouds in the sky, and the sun really brought out the hues on the oak leaves. They are the last of the trees to retain their leaves. It's pretty early for us to have this much snow as it's generally the last week in November before we get an inch or more of snow. I know I said I wasn't ready to lose summer, but when I see the first snowfall, I always appreciate it. It's a magical sight and one I will never tire of!
So, as the theme is snow – I thought you would appreciate this little card I cooked up. I have a Memory Box die that I love and decided to pair it with a little star die that I have to create this scene:
Of course, I had to photograph it when we had our first big frost yesterday morning – I thought it fit the card 🙂
This was such an easy card to pull together. All I did was cut the die from Whisper White card stock and then mount it to a Night of Navy base. I die cut the little stars from Silver Glimmer paper and adhered them using glue. This sentiment is one of my favorites. "It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air." Isn't that true? It's really about the spirit of Christmas and how we treat each other and what we do for each other (and I don't mean buying presents!), that really help us to celebrate Christmas. 🙂
I haven't really started creating my personal Christmas cards for this year. I just didn't really feel like it, but now that the snow has made an apperance, I know that I need to get going. Other than Colleen, who creates her cards during the quiet months of January/February (clever lady!), have any of you finished your Christmas cards for this year? Do you make Christmas cards, or do you run out of time and end up buying them at a retail store? I'd love to hear. So, why not leave me a comment and let me know.
Oh, talking about Christmas. Have you seen this fabulous new photopolymer set from SU – Endless Wishes? I think it is gorgeous and is certainly going to be on my list of things to order this month. Ohhhh… and we got a sneak peak at the new 2014 Occasions catalog. I can't wait for December 1 to put in my order. I think this is one of the best catalogs yet. There are some fabulous new stamps, dies and embellishments. I have a fairly long list of wants no… strike that… NEEDS! :-) I promise I will share some sneak peeks with you as soon as I can.
Several of you asked me if I could do a video on the technique that I used on this card. Unfortunately, I recycled my lamps and tripod when we moved last year, and I have no way to make videos anymore. I went looking for a video on google to send you to, but couldn't find one, which was very surprising. So, I will make a photo instruction for you when I next make a card using this technique. It's really incredibly simple, its like using Heat and Stick with glitter, only you apply the foil pieces instead. I do love the effect that it creates.
On a personal note:
Lou suggested I show you some of my organization and my obsession with my labeler! As I said in this post, I do like everything neat and tidy. Now, we have a great store room off our mudroom and we had put up some metal shelves. It just wasn't working for me. When we redid the walk-in closet, which you can see in this post we took the white melamine shelving and decide to put that up in the store room instead of the metal racks. Here's all of the "stuff" on the kitchen counter
Now…that's a nearly 10' counter, so you can imagine how much stuff was on it – and the other counters. But… if you look in the back – you can see the fabulous new melamine storage starting to take shape.
Then… here's the finished product – well, as much as I could get of it in the photo! Lou had to totally cut it up and make it fit from it's original place in the walk-in closet to the storage room. But he did an awesome job.
Then, when everything was put away…. now this makes my heart happy!
Now.. that looks good….. but it's this that makes my heart sing 🙂
and….
and…..
So… now you can see why Lou says if you stand still too long, I'll have you sorted and labelled. :-) Seriously, with so many cats, we have to have the food sorted by category, otherwise we will never know what we are running out of. It makes it so much easier to see what we have and what we need to buy. It's also easy to reach for Bilbo's favorite food and know exactly where it is. I also always try to pack the shelves with the cans facing out so that I can read them. Lou really thinks I'm nuts, but I can't stand spending time searching for things :-) I really can thank my maternal grandmother- Lilian for this:-)
As always, thank you for your visit and for your comments. They are always much appreciated. Warm hugs and prayers for those of you who need a little lift tonight. I'll be back tomorrow with another card.
Hugs
Jaydee
Card recipe:
- Card stock: Whisper White. Night of Navy
- Die: Memory Box – Country Landscape. Stars from Stargazer additions – PTI
14 Responses
I’m smiling as I read your post, Jaydee. In case no one has told you, Lou sounds like a saint…what a handyman!
And that is the dearest little card, so simple and peaceful. I felt a sense of contentment as I looked at it. It brought me joy-and that’s what our craft is all about!
SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!! :oD
And, what a perfect card for that first snowfall. I love love love that little star punch of yours. :o) It makes such a wonderful card!
Lou, what a fantabulous job you did on those shelves!! :o) Jaydee, oh how happy all that categorizing and labeling makes me!
I watched a video today on a heat embossing/glitter technique. I wonder if it’s similar to the one you used on your card…It’s a STUNNING card, btw. I LOVE it! :o)
It’s been a hectic couple of days around these parts. I’m so glad to be able to just sit and enjoy my blogs. :o)
Hugs!
Oh, one more thing. I tried to order that amazing photopolymer set and it said it was unavailable. I almost cried. Was I too early putting it in??
Endless Wishes is supposed to be available now according to a Facebook posting I just saw.
Hi Jaydee!!
Yeaaaah!! . . . for me, also, Xmas is almost hear but you still have to celebrate Thanksgiving. I loved what you wrote about presents . . . they help but it is not the most important thing . . . for me it is sharing . . . you have helped me so much with your cards . . . I have been preparing cards for Caritas (Catholic Relief – CARE)which will having their Xmas sale at the end of the month. Our christian community is very small but we manage to create the Christmas spirit.
Love for you, Lou and your followers.
Marina . . . from far Africa.
Hi Jaydee! Simple card, yes, but serene and tranquil. I love your scene and the subtle sparkle it has. This would be a great one to mass produce, if you’re short on time. I love how you took your pic with the morning frost…so clever! Made me smile. I only send a few handmade cards out at Christmas. My husband says, I’m the car mechanic whose car doesn’t work! lol. I run out of time each year as I do a lot of volunteering. Throw in the extra parties for scouts, dance, friends out of town and I barely get the cookies made. Each year I think I will plan ahead like Colleen but I’m just not organized to do so. (Insert Charlie Brown’s voice here…”rats!”) When Lesley started her Merry Monday blog, I thought that might challenge me, but I just enjoy them instead. ; )
Look at that closet, wow! I’d say you both are a great team playing off each other’s strengths.
I enjoyed the snow pictures and your lovely oak tree in the big blue sky. What a scene with all the color and fresh snow on the ground. I’m just not ready yet, life is too fast and I’d like to enjoy the pretty red, orange, and yellow leaves that haven’t fallen from the rain and wind. To be this late, we sure have some pretty foliage to see yet. The sky this time of year is my favorite. Blue in the day and awesome sunsets in the evening. What a wonderful world we live in!
Beautiful card and it went so well with the weather you are having
Lou, you done a fantastic job in the storage room. Give yourself a big pat on the back and I hope Jaydee fixed you a nice candlelite dinner for the great job you had done.
Jaydee, I’m a lot like you when it comes to organization; everything has to be in it’s own place and a place for everything and labeled as well. I have a label maker in my craft room,the kitchen and one in our computer room /office,
I always have one handy whenever I n :}
Enjoy your day and the remainder of the week.
Chilly temperatures here (down in low 40’s)and rain
ColleenB.
Yes, our Christmas cards are all stamped and ready for personalized notes…all 70 of them.
Jaydee, I agree with you that all things must be organized and labeled. My label maker is smoken!!!
What a beautiful card, love blue and white for Christmas. Snow came early in your part of the world and it is beautiful, with a gorgeous sky.
I am an organizing nut too and since we have had our whole house painted inside including closets I have been organizing like crazy. My kitchen pantry has never looked so good. It is a good feeling to have it all done including washing windows. Now I am ready to put the candles in the windows and start the count down. My husband says not until Thanksgiving is over. We shall see!!!
OOOOOOOyes, I am squealing with delight at the wonderful work Lou did. Wish you both could come and make over my craft room. It is organized but not large enough for good organization. Your’s is beautiful. Thanks for sharing with us.
Rach, an update from SU late yesterday says that Endless Wishes is now available to ship! 🙂
Hugs
Jaydee
Oh I love the organization and the labeling too! Fabulous!
Did anyone else notice the spider web in the second photo? It is in the corner and it is perfect!
I like the simplicity of the card. I make my Christmas cards but have not started yet. I think I need some inspiration in the form of snow!
Hi there! Pretty scene, although since we got snow last week, and it is supposed to stay, I am a little less in love with it … however, it does bring out the Christmas spirit! Since you asked, I always start out with the best intentions, make a few Christmas cards, then run out of time, buy more, and then never get around to sending them. Needless to say, I have a LOT of Christmas cards and yet still plan/want/intend to make them all this year. We shall see, I guess. I really like your card, but repeat my request, “Please come to my house to organize me! Your place is awesome!
Beth… the spider web! I forgot to mention that, thanks for reminding me. It’s a decal that we put on the windows to stop the birds from trying to fly into them. Of all the decals we’ve tried, it’s the one that works the best. It does look strange in a photograph though!
Hugs
Jaydee